This volume contains all of Rehan Qayoom's prose works from 1997 through 2008, including many little-known essays that exemplify his range, wit, depth, and wisdom. The book incorporates the complete text of his first separately published prose book 'Seeking Betjeman Country' including 28 separate essays, reviews, introductions, and lectures. 2 reviews that were commissioned, but which the magazines never printed, appear here for the first time. The variety of style and subject in this book is almost inexhaustible. He writes about the imaginary mirrors that everyone carries through life; Keats, Byron, English and Urdu poetry; and politics and religion.The introduction places the essays in biographical and historical context, and the extensive textual notes and bibliography explain obscure contemporary references.
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By gothicfaery2001
Nov 13, 2011
Rehan Qayoom's Prose 1997-2008 is a fantastic read which is diverse and covers everything from spirituality and mythology to love, prose, and the documenting of the modern world as he sees it. He writes of the importance of maintaining personal integrity, spiritual integrity, and artistic integrity at ALL costs. He says in order to be effective at documenting history through artistic means, it is essential that the artist work diligently to maintain a purity of spirit. He states that poetry is one of the most powerful of all arts, for it creates a portrait of beauty from chaos and disorder. However, poetry is more than provocative thoughts, it requires purity of form and consistency of "language sanctity." Qayoom's book is a work of superior intelligence and wisdom, written from a sincere desire to share his love of literature with others. Like all Great Teachers, Qayoom's written works are gifts to those seeking inspiration!
